October 27, 2023 - November 30, 2023
Online
$599Overview
A 5-Week Online Course with Pre-recorded & Written Lectures, Writing Exercises, and Live Discussion/Q&A
From A is for ARCHETYPES to Z is for ZONE, this 5-week online course with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen features engaging pre-recorded and written lessons with character-focused writing exercises. You’ll meet weekly for live sessions with Q&A that will help you explore every aspect of picture book character.
- Pre-recorded & written lessons released on Fridays (October 27, November 3, November 10, November 17, November 24)
- Live sessions via Zoom with discussion/Q&A, sharing from weekly exercises Thursdays 7:30pm – 8:30pm Eastern (November 2, 9, and 16; Please note that there is no live session on November 23)
- Small Group Workshopping of one picture book draft on Thursday, November 30, 7:30pm – 9pm (the final live meeting)
- Access to all lectures and resources will be available until December 31, 2024
- Optional post-course feedback is available at an additional cost (details below)
- 25 participants max
Why This Workshop?
From A is for ARCHETYPES to Z is for ZONE, this 5-week online intensive with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen features engaging pre-recorded and written lessons, character-focused writing exercises and weekly live sessions for Q&A that will help you explore every aspect of picture book character, including:
- point of view,
- word choice,
- inner and outer story arcs,
- imagery,
- emotion,
- conflict,
- motivation and more.
In addition, you will:
- Read lessons (Most written, with some video)
- Complete assignments
- Learn about today’s picture book market
- Analyze mentor text sets
- Participate in weekly LIVE Zoom Q & A sessions
This is primarily a self-paced program, with participant engagement happening through weekly Zoom sessions for questions and reflections related to the pre-recorded and written resources.
There is not a formal manuscript critique included during the course, but there will be check-ins and sharing of works-in-progress, and small group workshopping of one picture book draft in the final week.
An optional critique will also be available post-course.
Feedback Expected
- Weekly Q&A at the LIVE sessions to discuss questions related to written and recorded lectures.
- Weekly sharing and discussions at LIVE sessions.
- Small group workshopping of one picture book draft during the last LIVE sessions (see agenda below).
- OPTIONAL feedback will be available at an additional cost post-course. After submitting your picture book manuscript, a private session will be scheduled via Zoom to review ideas, suggestions, and next steps. The cost for this optional feedback is $125, and sessions will be scheduled within 4-6 weeks of submission.
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You want to write picture books. This in-depth course will ensure that you have a thorough understanding of how to create compelling characters in your picture book.
- You’ve written a picture book(s) but aren’t sure it’s ready to submit. Making time for this course means you can spend time revising and strengthening your story through character.
- You’ve written a story for children but aren’t sure where it might fit on the shelf. This course will give you a deep understanding, including mentor texts of past and current picture books, and how they differ from other writing for children.
- You work well in a hybrid-learning model with expectations of watching and reading all of the course content, and attending the LIVE discussions to ask questions and share examples.
Tentative Agenda
Pre-Workshop
- At registration: you will answer a brief question about your goals for taking this course.
- On October 27, you will be invited to join the virtual classroom where you will find the Highlights Foundation Community Standards, your course syllabus, and your first set of pre-recorded and written lectures.
Week 1
In the Virtual Classroom:
- Watch welcome video and explore lectures on Character-driven vs. Plot-driven picture books + letters A to D
- Writing exercises: Graphic organizers, interviews, and keywords
- Work on your first writing assignments
- Preview Highlights Foundation Community Standards
- Familiarize yourself with the discussion board
Thursday, November 2 at 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
- Introductions
- Review assignments
- Open Q&A for Week One Resources
Week 2
In the Virtual Classroom:
- Content released on Friday, November 3 by 9am Eastern
- Watch this week’s videos and read lectures for letters E to I
- Writing exercises: Tracking emotional change and mentor texts
Thursday, November 9 at 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
- Open Q&A for Week Two Resources
- Sharing from exercise
Week 3
In the Virtual Classroom:
- Content released on Friday, November 10 by 9am Eastern
- Watch this week’s videos and read lectures: Flight, Fears, + Letters J to N
- Writing exercises: Weaknesses, strengths, and self-identity
Thursday, November 16 at 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
- Open Q&A for Week Three Resources
- Sharing from exercise
Week 4
In the Virtual Classroom:
- Content released on Friday, November 17 by 9am Eastern
- Watch this week’s videos and read lectures for letters O to S
- Writing exercises: Exceptions and point of view
- What to expect during November 30 LIVE workshopping session (Please post your submission by November 26 if you plan to participate.)
NO LIVE session via Zoom this week.
Week 5
In the Virtual Classroom:
- Content released on Friday, November 24 by 9am Eastern
- Watch this week’s videos and read lectures for letters T to Z
- Writing exercises: Pacing, page breaks, and more mentor texts
- Please post your submission by November 26 if you plan to participate in the workshopping session on November 30.
Thursday, November 30 at 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
- Final Q&A
- Small Group Workshopping of one picture book draft (or your picture book outline, if that is what you have completed). You will be able to Share Screen.
Optional Post-Course Consultation
OPTIONAL 1:1 consultation with Sudipta includes a Zoom meeting to review ideas, suggestions, and possible next steps. The cost for this optional feedback is $125, and the session will be scheduled within 4-6 weeks of submission due date (December 21).
Commitment Required for the Best Experience
To get the most out of this online course, you should watch the weekly recorded lectures and read the written lectures, attend the LIVE sessions with your questions, and complete the writing exercises. You’ll have access to all of the resources (and the recordings from the LIVE Q&A sessions) through December 31, 2023.
The Highlights Foundation strives for a safe and inclusive environment. You will have access to our Community Standards prior to the workshop where we ask for your respectful engagement with fellow creatives, including our faculty and staff.
How It Impacts Kids
Picture books are the first entry point for getting children engaged in story. Appealing characters will invite kids to immerse themselves in the stories they hear–and later, the ones they read.
Testimonials from Our Community
“Sudipta provided a wealth of information in the coursework and was very generous with her time during office hours. She knows her stuff!”
“Sudipta is a wonderful teacher in person but the online lessons were also great – so much material laid out in a very accessible way. It is clear she put a lot of work and thought into the class.”
“Sudipta taught with great energy, practical advice, and contagious humor. Her examples for each tip provided clarity and inspiration, and her can-do attitude inspired us all.”
“Being able to ask questions any time was great; the Thursday night sessions were very informative.”
“I felt the facilitator and Sudipta did a great job in making us feel we were a mini family where we could learn and share freely.”
